Effect of the duration of time between chemo-radiotherapy and surgical intervention on the results of the combined treatment of rectal cancer

Complex treatment included preoperative radiochemotherapy (fractionated TTD of 47 Gy), 5-FU 2.75-3.5 g, cisplatin 90 mg, surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (XELOX). The radiochemotherapy/ surgery interval ranged 21-72 days (average--40; median--41.2 +/- 7.9). Patients were divided into two groups: those operated on within days 21-40 (1) and days 41-72 (2) to evaluate the impact of the interval between surgery and completion of radiochemotherapy. The intervals longer than 40 days were not followed by longer sphincter-saving operations, higher intraoperative blood loss or postoperative complication incidence, as compared with the 21-40 day interval. Besides, radiochemotherapy-related alterations in tumor tissues arising more than 40 days after exposure were more pronounced, yet unaccompanied by significantly better end results.     

Familial diabetes frequency as a factor in diabetics suffering from cancer

Although type 2 diabetes contributes to the risk of development of certain tumors; factors which modify this relationship need to be further examined. Familial diabetes frequency was followed in (a) diabetes-free cancer patients (132), aged 60.3 +/- 1.2; (b) cancer patients with apparent (62.3 +/- 0.4; n=371) or occult type 2 diabetes (61.6 +/- 1.2; n=65) and (c) cancer-free patients with type 2 diabetes (61.8 +/- 0.4; n=237); the latter group (172 females and 65 males) featured almost identical diabetes frequencies: 30.8 +/- 3.5% and 30.8 +/- 5.7%, respectively. They significantly exceeded a relevant index occurring in families free from cancer concomitant with diabetes (6.1 +/- 2.1%). Significantly lower frequencies of familial diabetes were reported in cancer patients as compared with cancer-free patients (12.9 +/- 2.1% females, p < or = 0.01; 19.4 +/- 3.8% - males, p=0.1). To sum up, it cannot be ruled out that familial diabetes is a marker of relative decrease in potential risk of cancer rather than that of increase. The causes of this phenomenon and its possible dependence on gender need to be explored.     

Risk of fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism in cancer patients

A retrospective study included 100 cancer patients who had died of fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) in the postoperative period. Assessment of the hazard of fatal postoperative PE demonstrated that the risk peaked on day 7 after operation and later on gradually diminished. The first three postoperative weeks featured high risk of fatal PE development as 90% of deaths were registered during its course.     

Current approaches to the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis in men

The study was made of 50 men suffering from non-gonococcal urethritis caused by mixed pathogenic and opportunistic urogenital infection. Clinical characteristics of urethritis in relation to infection pathogen are shown. The results of clinical and laboratory examinations were considered in choice of antibacterial therapy. Safocid, a combined antibacterial medicine, demonstrated its clinical and microbiological efficacy in the treatment of patients with non-gonococcal urethritis of mixed etiology.     

Effect of herpes simplex virus on spermatogenesis

To investigate the effect of Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) on spermatogenesis, HSV in ejaculate was detected by a rapid cultural method in 268 infertile males and 47 healthy ones. The number of mobile spermatozoa in HSV infected samples was less than in non-infected samples (21 mln/mlversus 40 mln/ml, p = 0.0001). The relative number of morphologically normal gametes was 13% versus 19% (p = 0.002), respectively. The quantitative karyological test discovered that males with HSV-infected ejaculate have more degenerating sex cells while in high virus contamination (more than 10 virus particles in 1 ml) the number of spermatides and spermatocytes of the 1 order at diploten stage is low. Organic testicular culture was used for more detailed study of pathogenetic mechanisms of HSV impact on spermatogenesis. Testicular explants infection was associated with reduction in the number of spermatogones, spermatocytes and spermatides on culturing week 2. The above findings reveal some pathogenetic mechanisms underling fertility disorders in males with HSV infection: a gametotoxic effect of the virus reducing populations of spermatogones, spermatocytes and spermatide; affected mobility and morphological characteristics of spermatozoa. Detection of the mechanisms of HSV action on spermatogenesis opens a perspective of antivirus drug administration in combined treatment of male infertility.     

Using zidena in the treatment of erectile dysfunction associated with stress-induced arterial hypertension in workers of locomotive teams

Thirty train drivers with erectile dysfunction (ED) and arterial hypertension were examined : physical examination, blood count, urinalysis, penile laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). ED severity was assessed by Loran-Segal questionnaire of male copulative function (MCF) and international index of erectile function (IIEF). Zidena was used in a dose 100 mg 30 min before coitus twice a weak. Examinations have detected mild and moderate ED, spastic disorders of penile microcirculation. MCF significant improvement (p < 0.05), rise of IIEF score were seen after 30 days of zidena treatment. A positive trend was observed after 15 days of treatment. LDF registered a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of microcirculation. Tissue hypoxia and ischemia lowered, blood inflow in the system of microcirculation increased. A passive mechanism of blood flow regulation, vasodilation almost corresponded to physiological standards. Administration of zidena in patients with stress-induced hypertension has improved libido, quality and duration of erection, penile microcirculation due to better tissue perfusion with blood, reduction of ischemia and blood congestion in the venules. Duration of coitus increased.